We completed the first day of the 2013-14 school year yesterday. I have to admit, I was really nervous because of a directive I had given my faculty. I had banned rules presentations and syllabus discussions on day 1. I expected my teachers to show students their passion for their subject area and engage students in activities designed to capitalize on their excitement for the first day of school. However, the administrator piece in me was worried I was setting myself up for more difficulties because we weren't going over rules on day 1. How would the kids behave? How would they know the expectations?
The results could not have been better! As I talked to students throughout the day, asking them how their day was going, they were excited about school. They were genuinely appreciative of the teachers' efforts to engage them and they were definitely not bored. Most said it was their best first day ever! Many of my teachers have 'flipped' their rules presentations and will give a short quiz later this week to ensure students watched them. In fact, I did the same thing with handbook changes for the building. I checked this morning and about 1/5 of the student body has already watched the handbook video when it isn't 'due' until Friday.
As you start your school year, think about capitalizing on the excitement of day 1 and using it to build a positive culture and climate. I think it was successful for us.
Now, I can shift my worry to something else.....like day 2....
